Coal-mining machine



Oct. 14, 1930. N. D. I EvlN 1,778,295

I COAL MINING MACHINE Original Filed April '7, 1917 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 MSN L @WHEHUUHUH VENTO/6.

I A TTORNEY.

.HUUUM my Nw, N Nm Row.

W] TZV/555155 W07/ 6. 49m.

Mw@ fm Oct. 14, 1930. N. D. Ll-:vlN 1,778,295

COAL MINING MACHINE original Filed April 7, `1917 4 sheets-sheet 2 WTNESSES: U

ATTORNEY.

od. 14, 1930. N, D, EWN 1,778,295

COAL MINING MACHINE Original Filed April '7, 1917 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 zz Z2 Oct. 14, 1930. N. D. LEvlN 1,778,295-

COAL MINING MACHINE Original Filed April 7, 1917 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l n l I| y i I .i 6.5 E by@ 68 l l 14 l @a zzz IJZ 04 122 W/TNESSES HV V N T 01.?.

ATTORNEY.

Patented oci. 14, 1930 NILS D. LEVIN, F COLUMBUS, OHIO,

ASSIGNOR 'J'.'O THE JEFFREY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A. CORPORATION OF OHIO COAL-MINING MACHINE Applicatianliled April 7, 1917, Serial No. 160,516. Renewed March 13, 1930.

present invention relatesto certain new -Ya'nd useful improvements in coal' mininr malchlnes, Iandespecially to that cla ci? marrliines whichis adapted to work upon the Vlong wall-system to dislodge the coal from its fnatural-.bed and vload yit into conveniently vvv-@placed receptacles for transportation from y fthefmine.

" istheespecial object of my invention to provide agjsimple durable and eilicient machine adapt'ed to use in the thin veins of coal which. are ycommonly mined by the' long wall system, to/'dislodge the coal from its natural bed, and lgatherjfit 'into a long wall conveyer by which. itfwill be discharged into conveniently placed car ponthe tracks of the haulage ways at theofthe coal' face.j The preerredfembQdiment of my invention is set forthin the-following specifications and illustratedin the accompanying drawings but itis to, be remembered that modifications may bemadein 'the details of construction without ldeparture from the spirit of my invention. .y

Of the drawings' I Fig. 1 is a generalfpl'aii .the pre.

ferred embodiment of, my' invention. n

Fig. 2 is a side elevation! ofthe devices `1llustrated in Fig. 1f

Fig. 3.*is an lend elevation of vthe devices illustrated in Figs. 1v and Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section taken along the line 4-4 ofvFigz 2. f

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 6. y

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail partly in section of the inner end of the gathering conve er.

ig. 7 is a section along the line 7 7 of F ig. 1.

Fig.A 8 is a section along the line8-8 of F ig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic showing of one method of making the sumping or entering cut.

Like numerals refer to similar parts in the several figures. I l

As illustrated .in the drawings my improved mining .machine comprises devices adapted especially to the long wall system shaft 11 is fixed of mining including cutting devices of the well known chain cutter multaneously form kerfs at both the top and bottom of the coal veins, breakin mechanism arranged to be carried into the upper kerf to dislodge the coal, gathering devices arranged to enter the lower kerf to receive the coal as it is broken down and transfer it to a long wall conveyer for delivery to suitably placed cars in the haulage way at the end of the coal face.

,l lThe cutting and breaking down devices together with the actuating, feeding and controlling mechanisms, are mounted upon a frame comprising a base plate casting 1 to the bottom of which is secured, at either side of the machine, longitudinally extending shoes 2 adapted to rest upon the floor of the mine to facilitate movement of the machine relative to the coal face. At either side of the bed plate 1 are upstanding side plates 3 to Athe u pper edges ofwhich the cover plate 4 is secured to forma protecting the operative parts of the machine. At the extension 5 having upwardly extending side flanges 6 and 7 joined together at their upper edges by a crossmemberl 8 to form a supporting frame for the cutting mechanism. On the extension 5 and cross member 8 are formed hubs 9 and 10 containing journal bearings in which the vertical shaft 11 is mounted. At the upper end of the vertical a sprocket wheel 12 which drives the cutter chain 13 mounted and carried in the usual manner on the cutter arm 14. Fixed to the lower end of the shaft 11 is a similar sprocket wheel 15 which drives i the cutter chain 16 mounted and carried in down casing for chains 13 and 16 are attached the renewable cutter bits 22 by which the coal is cut. The cutter arm 14 as above described is secured to a supporting yoke 23 having a journal bear-- ing 24 mounted for rotation about the outer surface of the hub 9. On the yoke 23 is formed a circular flange 25 to which fis secured'a bearing rin 26 which engages a ci!" cular flange 27 of t e crossmember 8 to retain the cutter arm in position. The outer edges of the flange 25 and ring 26 are shaped to form a sheave groove 28 for a purpose which will be hereinafter explained. The lower cutter arm 17 is similarly supported upon a 'oke 29 having a journal bearing 3() mounte for rotation about the outer surface of the hub 10. On the yoke 29 is formed a circular fiange 31 to which is secured a bearing ring 32 which engages a circular flange 330i the base plate extension 5 to su port the cutter arm. The outer edges of the ange 31 and rin 32 are shaped to form a sheave groove 34 or a purpose which will be hereinafter ex lained.V By this method of mounting, t e cutter arms 14 and 17 may be independently rotated about the Vvertical shaft 11 to be made available for service on either side of the mining machine. Apertures 35 and 36 are provided respectively in the circular flanges 25 and 33 and these apertures register with a plurality'of spaced apertures 37 and 38 in the frame members 5 and 8. Pins 39 and 40 are provided for insertion in these apertures to lock the cutter arms 13 and 17 respectively in any desired angular relation to the main frame of the machine. Fixed tothe vertical shaft 11 immediately above the journal bearing 10 is a worm wheel 41 which is engaged by a worm 42 formed on the horizontal worm shaft` 43 `journaled in bearings 44 and 45 of the base plate extension 5. The worm 42 and worm wheel 41 are enclosed by a gear case casting 46 attached to the base plate extensiomand having a bearing 47 upon the vert-ical shaft 11 immediately above the worm wheel. Caps for the bearings 44 and 45 are also formed in this gear case casting 46. At its forward end the shaft 43 is provided with a clutch member 48 through which power is received to drive the cutting mechanism as will hereinafter appear.

Mounted upon the main frame l, midway between its ends, is a motor 49 by which the machine is actuated. For purposes of illustration I'have shown an electric motor, but. it is to be understood that any preferred type of motor, convenient to the circumstances unl der which the mining machine is operated, may be used. This motor may be supplied with power from any convenient source, by devices which are well known in mining practice, but which for simplicity have been omitted from. the drawing. The vrearward end of the armature shaft 50 is provided with a clutch member 51 similar to and adapted to engagement with the clutch member 48 of the horizontal worm1 shaft 43 to'actuate the cutting mechanism.

Positioned at the forward end of the main frame 1 is the feeding mechanism comprising a winding drum 52 upon which is windable a feed cable 53 adapted to be attached to an abutment outside of the machine to move it to cause the cutting mechanism to engage the coal. The winding drum 52 is mounted for rotation about a vertical shaft 54, fixed in the machine frame, and is connectable through a suitable friction clutch 55, of the well known multiple disc type, with a spur gear. 56 journaled for rotation about the shaft 54. and constituting part of the gear train by which power is transmitted from the motor 49 to the winding drum. Fixed to the forward end ofthe armature shaft 50 is a worm 57 which engages the worm wheel 58 attached to the vertical shaft 59 journaled in suitable bearings of the machine frame 1. At the upper end of the shaft 59 is a crank 60 connected through a connecting rod 61, with a rocker arm 62mounted for oscillation about a vertical shaft 63 fixed in the main frame of the machine. The rocker arm 62 carries a pawl 64 adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 65 togcause it to revolve about the shaft 63. A pawl 66, mounted upon the main frame, is arranged to engage the ratchet wheel 65 to prevent its retrograde movement. Rotatively connected with the ratchet wheel 65 `is a spur pinion 67 which engages the spur gear wheel 56 to drive the winding drum 52. Means is provided in the hand wheel 68 to control the operation of the friction clutch 55, but as such clutch mechanisms'jare well known in the art and form no part of the present invention, detailed description is not thought to be required at this time. Guide sheaves 69, 70 and 71 are provided at each side of the machine to change the direction of the feed cable 53 as conditions of service may require. The guide sheaves 71 are mounted upon the. free ends of the arms 72 which are pivotally attached to the frame of the machine by the brackets 73. Struts 74 project from the top plate 4 and are provided With apertures 75 adapted to receive the pins 76 to hold the arms 72 in either an elevated or a depressed position. When it is desired to rotate the lower cutter arm in either direction. the feed rope 53 may be carried around the guide sheave 69 at the side of the machine towards which the cutter arm is to be moved, passed around thesheave groove 34 and attached to invasivaupper cutter arm is to be rotated the guide sheave 71 at the side of #le machine towards which the arm is to be rotated is elevated to such position that its upper edge lies in the plane of the sheave groove 28. The feed cable 53 is then drawn out from the drum. lead around the sheaves 69, 70 and 71 to the sheave groove 28 and is connected to the projet-.tion 78 of the yoke casting 23. By the rotation o the drum 52 the rope 53 will be wound and the cutter arm 14 rotated in. the desired direction. When the desired angular relation with the frame of the machine has been attained it may be locked in that position by the insertion of the pin 39 in the appropriate apertures 35 and 37. The guide sheaves 69, 70 and 71 as above described, af-

ford means for leading the feed cable in any desired direction at either side of the machine and at different elevations above the floor of the mine so that it may be attached to a suitable abutment towards which it is desired to move the machine.

Mounted in apertures of the plates 18 and 19 of the cutter arm 14 is a hydraulic jack 79 adapted to be carried into the kerf and to exert a downward'pressure upon the coal to dislodge it.. The liack 79 comprises a cylinder 80 having a longitudinally movable tending plunger 81, adapted to be drawn into the cyllnder by the action or to be forced outwardly by hydraulic pressure generated by the pressure pump 83 with which it is connected through a suitable tubing 84. 'The pump 83 consists of a cylinder 84 formed in the metal of the supporting yoke 23, in which is longitudinally movable a pump piston 85. This pump piston 85 is provided with a packing gland 86 in the manner common to pump practice, and at its outeren'd is fixed to a cross head 87, at either end of which are guide rods 88 exparallel with the piston rod 85, and adapted to longitudinal movement in guide ways formed in the yoke casting 23. The cross head 87 is connected,` through the ec-' centric rod 89, with the eccentric 90, fixed to the vertical sha\ft 11, by the rotation of which the plunger 85 is reciprocated to operate the pump. `A valve chamber 91, connected with the pump cylinder 84 by a passage 92, contains the valves 93 and 94 to control the flow of water through inder 84 and through the passage 95 to the slack water reservoir 96 respectively. The valve 94 is provided with a downwardly extending stem 97 adapted to be engaged by an eccentric 98, mounted in a recess 99 of the voke casting 23 and adapted to be rotated by the hand lever 100. When the eccentric 98 is rotated to its lowest position, as shown in Fig. 4 ofthe drawing, the valve 94 rests upon its valve seat to prevent the flow of water trom the pump cylinder 84 to the reservoir 96 but to allow, by its normal lifting, the

=ervoir 96 to be driven of a retracting spring 82,=,

Pump i the passage 92 to the cyl.

water to flow in the opposite direction. By partial rotation of the eccentric 98 the valve stem 97 may from its seat to allow the free movement of water in both directions. also provided with a depending stem 101 terminating a short distance above the valve 94 so that a sulicient revolution of the eccentric 98 will lift the valve 94 to engage the valve stem 101 and lift the valve 93 from its seat to permit the return of water from the jack cylinder 80 to the reservoir 96 and permit the retraction of the jack plunger 81 under the influence of the retracting spring 82. Vhen the hydraulic jack 79 is to remain inoperative, the eccentric 98 is allowed to stand in its highest position thereby holding both valves 93 and 94 from their seats, allowingr the water in the jack cylinder 80 to return to the reservoir 96 and the water of the pump cylinder to churn backward and forward through the passage 92. To cause the plunger 81 to exert a downward pressure upon the coal the eccentric 98 is rotated to its lowestposition to allow both valves 93 and 94 to seat themselves, thereby causing the water drawn by the pump plunger 85 from the resinto the cylinder 80. If the eccentric 98 is allowed to stand in its middle position water will be retained in the jack cylinder 80 to prevent the retraction of the plunger-81, and the valve 94 will be held from-its seat to prevent the action of the pump. A

The receiving element is a conveyer of the endless chain and scraper type carried by a self contained structure '102, adapted to rest upon the floor of the mine, and having a horizontal portion extending inwardly along the mine floor to receive the coal as it is broken down, and an inclined portion extending upwardl and outwardly to'discharge the coal into tliie trough of a long wall conveyer 103 placed at a suitable distance from the face of the coal. The structure 102 is built upon a heavy steel plate 104 adapted to rest upon the floor of the mine, the edges of which are beveled to facilitate its movement over the floor of the mine. To the plate 104 is attached upright structural steel members 105, 106 and 107 joined together and to the plate 103 by suitable shapes and rivets in the nmuner well known to structural steel workers. Attached to the structure 102 as above described is a conveyer trough composed of the side plates 108 and bottom plate 109 joined together' by the longitudinal angle bars 110, 111 and 112 which form guide ways in which travel the endless chains 113. l The chains 113 are connected together at spaced intervals by cross bars 114 arranged to engage the coal lying upon the bottom plate 109 to move it along the conveyer trough. At the foot end of the conveyer the chains v113 pass around the curved forward edge The valve 93 is asv lig

of a cross bar 137, while at the head end of the conveyer they pass over the sprocket wheels 115 fixed to the head shaft 116. The head shaft 116 is journaled in bearings 117 bolted to the side plates 108 of the conveyer trough, and on both projecting ends is pro- Suitable coupling pins 121 inserted in the apertures 122 of the draw bars and draw eyes connect the conveyer supporting structure 102 with the base frame 1 to cause it to move along the coal face in proper relation with the cutting mechanism. The-proportions of the parts are such that when the conveyer structure is coupled to the main frame, as above described, the sprocket wheel 118 on the forward side of the conveyer frame will be in alignment with a similar sprocket wheel 123 attached to the horizontal shaft 124 journaled in a suitable bearing 125 of the main frame. The shaft 124 is connected with the vertical shaft 11 through the bevel gears 126 and 127,.and the sprocket wheels 118 and 123 chain 128 to drive the conveyer.

are connected together through a driving Draw eyes 119 and sprocket wheels 118 are provided at both sides of the conveyer structure to adapt the machine to operation in either direction. Along the horizontal part of the conveyer the side plates 108 terminate at the upper edge of the longitudinal angle bars 112'to permit the entrance of the conveyerA into the kerf formed by the cutter arm 17. Along the imclined part of the conveyer the side plates 108 extend upwardly to form the tro'ugh sides- 129 by which coal is confined to the conveyer trough. A removable side plate 130 is adapted to be used on the rearward side of the horizontal part of t-he conveyer to confine the coal as it is broken down. This removable side plate 130 is provided with stitfening cross bars 131 the projecting. ends of which are engageable in the sockets 132 attached to the side plate 108. An apron 133 is provided to extend from the forward side of the conveyer into the kerf to receive the coal as it is broken down and guide it into the f'onveyer trough. The apron 133 is provlded with stilfening cross bars 134 having projecting ends 135 adaped to engage the sockets 132 for attachment to the conveyer frame.

In the thin veins of coal commonly mined by the long wall system it is a common priactice the ,lower cutter arm 17 to operate in the fire clay underlying the vein. It is, of course,

undesirable that these cuttings from the clay.

in order to conserve the coal, to cause A conveying mechanism by which the coal is loaded into the pit cars for Atransportation from the mine. Most ofthese cuttings are carried directly out of the kerf as they are made by the 'cutting bits, but a certain proportion of them .pass under the plate 19 and, if not removed, will accumulate in front of the conveyer to clog the kerf and interfere with the proper operation of the mach-ine. To prevent such an accumulation I have provided a scraper 136, formed on the forward edge of the apron 133, which vfollows closely behind the cutter arm to engage these stray cuttings, confine them to the path'of the bit and insure their removal from the kerf. The removable side plate 130 and the apron 133 are .made interchangeable to adapt the ma-v chine to operation in both directions.

The long wall conveyer 103 is of a construction wellknown in the art andas its details form no part of the present invention description is not thought to be necessary at this time.

To make the entering or sumping cut preparatory to operation. the conveyer structure 102 is uncoupled from the main frame 1 and the latter is placed parallel to and adjacent the coal face with both cutter arms extending rearwardly longitudinally of the machine, as shown in Fig. 9. The feed rope 53 is then drawn out from the Winding drum, passed around the guide sheave 69, at the side of the machine towards the coal face, andthe sheave groove 34 and connected to the projection 77 of the lower cutter arm.

v\After the motor 49 is started to actuate the cutter chain 13, the hand wheel 68 of the friction clutch 55 will be manipulated\to wind the feed cable 53. This will rotate the cutter arm 17 to engage the coal and form a kerf at the base of the vein.

feed rope will be again drawn out from the j drum and passed around the guide sheaves 69, and 71 and connected to the upper cutter arm 14 which will be rotated in like manner to form a kerf near the top of the vein. dien the desired angle has been attained the upper cutter arm will also be locked by the insertion of the pin 39 in the appropriate aperture 37. After both cutter arms have been sumped the feed rope 53 will be passed around the guide sheave 69 at the side of the machine adjacent the coal face and attached to a suitable anchor in ad- Vance of the machine. By the rotation of the drum 52 and the Winding of the rope 53 the machine will be drawn bodily along the coal face and simultaneously cut a kerf at the ioor of the mine and another near itsI When the cutter arm has attained an angular relation" roof. The resistance of the coal to the ad; vance of the cutting mechanism tends to swing the rearward end of the machine away from the coal face while the outward movement of the cutter bits along the forward side of the cutter arms exerts an inward draught. upon the cutter arms tending to overcome this outward pressure. By the advance of the cutter arms to angles somewhat in advance of right angle this inward draught of the cutter bits may be suiliciently increased to overcome the outward swing and maintain the machine in proper working relation with the coal. vance necessary to hold the machine to its work varies with the hardness of the coal and it is desirable that the upper cutter arm should travel somewhat in the rear of the lower cutter arm to allow a clearance below the coal to facilitate breaking it down. By the independent adj ustability of the two cutter arms each may be set at such angles as are most suitable to maintain the relation with the coal face under the conditions of service and the vertical adjustability of the guide sheave 71 permits the leading oli of the feed rope at such elevations as will produce a *perfect balance of strains and easily feed the machine to its work. As the machine moves forward the hydraulic jack 7 9 is actuated to break down the coal and, when a sufficient clearance has been produced at the rear of the cutting mechanism, the receiving mechanism will be moved into place, coupled to the main frame, and the driving chains 128 put in place to actuate the conveyer. The long wall conveyer 103 is then adjusted in such a position relative to the coal face that ythe receiving conveyerv will discharge coal upon it as the machine advances along the mine wall. As this coal is discharged from the discharge end ot' the long wall conveyer t the haulage way it may be received in suitable pit cars and transported from the mine. For the purpose of illustration I have described the method oi' operation somewhat ,minutely, but it is to be understood that these operations are subject to wide variations, depending upon local conditions and the pre1"- erence ot" the operator, without departure from the spirit of my invention.

rlhere are several forms of cutters or incision makers to form the openings in the coal well known to those acquainted with such machines. @ne of these, 'to-wit, a large auger-like cutter, have shown and dcscribed in another application lieretotore tiled by me, namely` application .5881471, tiled ctober 22, lSlO, renewed as -i2,324. In the present mechanism the chain cutters are presented as typical of another class.

In said other application I have presented claims restricted to the specilic auger cutter; but herein present claims which relate to all styles of known suitable cutters, and

The angle of ad.

although some, such as claims 32. and 39, inclusive, describe subject matter disclosed in said other application, none of the claims herein are intended as specifically describing rotary bores or angers such as presented therein, the claims herein referred to, being divisional in relation to said other application and to the claims therein which pertain to a speciiic modification of the apparatus. v

I hereinuse the terms incisions and openings when referring to the apertures or cuts in the coal which are formed by the cutting device, and into which the breaking device is advanced while the opening is bc` ing formed. By such descriptive terms I mean to be understood including any of the openings ordinarily made in coal by the various cutting devices; that is to say as lncluding openings which are rectangular or cylindrical or of any other shape, in vertical cross-section as known to the art. I also, in such claims, mean to include machines capable of making the incisions of the pair either simultaneously or successively, provided that they are adapted to have a hydraulically operated device carried by the frame adapted to follow the cutting device into an opening formed by the cutting de* vice together with means for operating the hydraulic device to break down the coal which lies between the incisions.

What I claim is` l. In a mining machine, the combination with the two independent cutter chains arranged to travel in horizontal planes and to simultaneously produce two parallel horizontal kerfs across the face of the coal, the cutters of the lower chain acting on the coal on vertical lines in advance oi the vertical lines of the points` ot action of the cutters on the upper chain of vertically acting hy drostatically actuated means arranged immediately behind and following `the active cutters of the upper chain to exert pressure upon the overcut coal to dislodge it conveying devices traveling in lines behind the face of the coal and arranged to receive. the dislodged coal after it falls backward under the action of the pressure device and a power ac tuating propelling mechanism for feeding the chains` the pressure device and the conveyer bodily along the tace of the coal.

2. In a mining machine, the combination with a complete mining machine comprising a. main frame, and an under-cutting mechanism projecting laterally from the main frame, of an overcutting mechanism projecting laterally from the main frame. feeding mechanism adapted to move the machine bodily relative to the'coal face. and means to adjust the angular relation of the undercutting mechanism and of the overcutting mechanism relative to the main frame and relative 'to each other.

frame,

:ing mechanism adapted to move the machine bodily relative to the coal face, means to adjust the angular relation of the undercutting mechanism and of the overcutting mechanism relative to the main frame, and means carried by the overcutting mechanism to exert a downward pressure upon the coal to dislodge the severed section.

4. In a mining machine, the combination with a complete mining machine comprising a'main frame, and an undercutting mechnism projectingjlaterally from the main of anovercutting mechanism projectfeeding machine to ading laterally from the main frame, mechanism adapted to move the bodily relative to the coal face, means just the angular relation of the undercutting y mechanism and of the Aover-cutting mechanism rela-tive'to the main frame, means carried by the overcutting mechanism V to exert a downward pressure upon thecoal to dislodgethe severed sections, and means to `control the pressure exerting mechanism.

ln a mining machine, the combination withal complete mining machine comprising a main frame, and an undercutting mechanism projecting frame, of an overcutting mechanism Aprojecting laterally from the main frame, feeding mechanismadapted to move the machine bodily relative to the coal face, means carried by the overcutting mechanism to exert a downward pressure uponthe coal to dislodge the severed sections, and conveying mecha.- nism detachably conn'ectable to the main frame Aand having its inner end in transverse lines behind the coal face to receive and re.- move the coal as it is broken down.

6. ln a mining machine. the combination with a complete mining machine comprising a mainI frame, and an undercutting mechanism projecting laterally from the main frame, of an overcutting mechanism projecting laterally from the main frame, feeding mechanism adapted to move/the machine bodily relative to the coal face, means to adjust the angular' relation of the undercutting mechanism and of the overcutting mechanism relative tothe main frame, means carried by the overcutting mechanism to exert a downward pressure upon the coal to dislodge the severed sections` means to control the pressure exerting mechanism, conveying` mechanism detachably connectable with the main frame and having its inner end in transverse lines behind the coal face vto receive and remove the coal as it is broken down, and a motor mounted upon the main frame the main.

laterally l'from the Amain.

connected and arranged to actuate the several aforesaid elements of the machine.

7. ln a mining machine, the combination with a main frame, of two laterally effective laterally projecting elongated cutting mechanisms adapted to rotate about a common vertical axis and to engage the material to be mined to simultaneously form parallel horizontal kerfs therein, and means to rotate either cutting mechanism independently of the other.

8. 1n amining machine, the combination with a mainframe, of two laterally etfective laterally projecting elongated cutting mechanisms adaptedto rotate about a commonv vertical axisand to engage thematerialto be mined to simultaneously tormparallel horizontal kert's therein, means to rotate either cutting mechanism independently of J[he other, and means to lock either cutting mechanism in any preferred angular relation with the main frame.'

9. In amining machine, the-combination with a main frame, of two laterally etl'ective laterally projecting elongatedcutting mechanisms adapted to rotate about a common vertical axis and to engage the material to be mined to simultaneously form horizontal .i

parallel kerfs therein, means to rotate either cutting mechanism independently of the other, means to lock either cutting mechanism in any preferredangular relation with the main frame, and means to move the machine bodily to cause the cutting mechanism to engage the material to be mined.

10. In a mining machine, the combination of a horizontally projecting arm movable bodily alongthe coal face while operating and having a Cutter chain traveling'horizontally around it on lines of variable forward inclination to the face to form a gradually elongating kerf across said face' and at the base thereof, /a simultaneously operating chain cutter adapted to form a kerf of variable rearward inclination across the face above and parallel to' the tirst mentioned kerf, breaking, means carried with and following immediately in the path of the upper cutting devices to break down the severed sections and simultaneously operating conveying devices connected to move with said cutting and breaking devices to receive and remove the coal and having a receivingsection situated in transverse lines inside of the coal face.

l1. In a mining machine, the combination of a cutter comprising a horizontally extendlng arm movable bodily along and parallel to the face of a mine Wall and adjustable to diierent lines of forward inclination to the lines of advance of the arm, and acutter chain traveling around said arm to form a continuously and gradually elongating kerf across said face and at the base thereof, a simultaneously operating chain cutter adjustable to diiferent lines of backward inclifeffective nation to the lines of advance and adapted to form a kerf gradually elongating across said face above and parallel'to the irs't said kerf, breaking means carried with and following immediately in the path of the upper cutting devices to break down the severed sections, and simultaneously operating conveying devices to travel on the linesalong which the breaking means travel bodily to receive the coal falling backward therefrom.

12. 1n a mining machine, the combination of a main frame adapted to be moved bodily along the coal face while resting upon the mine floor, two elongated cutting mechanisms spaced apart vertically and adapted to swing around a. common axis positioned in the central longitudinal vertical plane of the main frame at one end thereof to be effective at either side of said frame to engage the material to be mined as the machine is moved along the coal face.

13. In a mining machine, the combination with a main frame adapted to rest upon and slide over the mine floor, of two laterally elongated cutting mechanisms spaced apart vertically and adapted to swing around a common axis positioned in the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame at one end thereof and adapted to project laterally therefrom at either side of the machine, and means to bodily move said main frame to cause the cutting mechanism to engage the material to be mined.

14. In a mining machine, the combination with a-main frame adapted to rest upon and slide over the mine floor, with two laterally effective elongated cutting mechanisms spaced apart vertically and adapted to swing around a common axis positioned in the central longitudinal vertical plane of the main frame at one end thereof and adapted to project laterally therefrom at. either side of the machine, means to bodily move said main frame to cause the cutting mechanisms to engage the material to be mined and means to swing the cutting mechanisi'n independently of each other.

l5. In a mining machine, the combinationwith a main frame adapted to rest upon and slide over the mine iioor, with two laterally effective elongated cutting mechanisms spaced apart vertically and adapted to swing around a common axis positioned in the central vertical plane of the machine frame at one end thereof and adapted to project laterally therefrom at either side of the machine, means to bodily move said main frame to cause the cutting mechanism to engage the material to be mined, means to swing the cutter mechanisms independently of each other, and means to lock each of the. cutting mechanisms in any preferred angular relation with the main frame.

16. In a mining machine, the combination of a main frame adapted to be moved bodily along the coal`face while resting upon the mine floor, two elongated cutting mechanisms spaced apart vertically and adapted to swing around a common axis positioned in the central longitudinal vertical plane of the frame at one end thereof and adapted to project therefrom laterally on either side and to be adjustably positioned in either of several angles to the longitudinal lines of the frame, means to secure the said cutting mechanisms rigidly to the frame after adjustment, means carried by the upper cutting mechanism adapted to exert pressure upon the coal to dislodge the several sections, and conveying devices adapted to be detachably connected with the main frame and positioned in the transverse lines along which the pressure devices travel to receive the coal as it is broken down at either side of the main frame.

17. In a mining machine, the combination of a main frame adapted to be moved bodily along the coal face While resting upon the mine floor, two elongated cutting mechanisms adapted to be swung around a commonl axis positioned in the central longitudinal vertical plane of the frame at one end thereof and adapted to project therefrom laterally on either side and to be adjustably positioned in either of several angles to the longitudinal lines of the frame` means to secure said cutting mechanisms rigidly to the frame after adjustment, means to move the main frame relative to the coal face to cause the cutting mechanisms to produce parallel kerfs across the face of the mine wall, means carried by the upper cutting mechanism to dislodge the severed sections of coal, and conveying devices detachably connectable with the main frame and positioned in the transverse lines along which the pressure devices travel and adapted to extend beneath the breaking down mechanism at either side of the machine to receive and remove the coal as it is broken down.

18. In a mining machine, the combination with a main frame adapted to rest upon and slide over the mine floor, with two laterally effective elongated cutting mechanisms spaced apart vertically and adapted to swing around a. common axis positioned in the central vertical longitudinal plane of the main frame at one end thereof and adapted to project either laterally at either side or longitudinally of the main frame, means to lock either cutter mechanisn'i in the preferred angular relation to the lines of the main frame, and means to swing either cutting mechanism or to move the machine. bodily to cause the cutting mechanism to engage the coal to cut it.

19. In a mining machine, the combination of a main frame adapted to be moved bodily along the face of a mine wall while resting upon the mine Hoor` feeding mechanism comprising a winding drum mounted at the forof a main ward end of the main frame,.two elongated cutting mechanisms projecting laterally from the main frame at the rear end thereof, breaking mechanism carried by one of the cutting mechanisms to dislodge the severed sections, conveying mechanism attachable to the main frame to follow'the cutting mechanism on transverse lines inside of the coal face and receive and remove the material as it isbroken down and a motor mounted upon the main frame and connected and arranged to actuate the several elements of the machine.-

520. In'a mining machine, the combination of a main Aframe adapted to move bodily along the coal face while resting upon the mine floor, feeding mechanism comprising a winding drum mounted at the forward end of the main frame, two elongated cutting mechanisms spaced apart vertically and adapted to swing around the common axis positioned in the central longitudinal vertical plane of the mainframe at the rearward end thereof and adapted to-project laterally therefrom at either side of the machine, means to swing the cutting mechanisms independently of each other, means to lock each of the cutting mechanisms in any preferred angular relation to the lines of the main fra-me, means carried by one of the cutting mechanisms to exert pressure upon the coal to dislodge the severed sections, means car- `ried by the said cutting mechanism to actuate and control the pressure exerting means, conveying devices connectable to the main frame to follow immediately after the cutting mechanism on transverse lines insideof the coal face to receive and remove the broken coal,and a motor mounted upon the main frame connected and arranged to actuate the several elements of the machine.

, 21. In a mining machine, the combination frame, a vertical shaft journaled in the main frame`v two elongated cutter arms projecting laterally from the main frame, supporting brackets fixed to the cutter arms .and mounted upon the main frame for rotation about the vertical shaft, cutter chains arranged `to travel upon the cutter arms, sprocket wheels attached to the vertical shaft engaging the cutter chains to drive them, hy-v drostatic devices Vcarried by one of the cutter' arms and actuated by the vertical shaft to exert prl'essure upon the coal to dislodge the severed sections.

22. In a mining machine, the combination of a main frame, a cutter arm projecting laterally therefrom and adapted to be adjusted about a vertical axis, a hydraulic jack carried by the cutter arm, a pump carried bv the cutter arm to energize the hydraulic jack to cause it to exert pressure upon the coal to dislodge sections thereof, a power means for propelling the frame and cutter arm bodily laterally along the face of the coal, and means for locking the cutter arm in relation to the frame after adjustment.

23. In a mining machine, the combination of a main frame, a vertical shaft journaled in the main frame, two elongated cutter arms projecting laterally from. the main frame,

supporting brackets to which the cutter arms are fixed mounted upon the'main framefor rotation about the vertical shaft, cutter chains arranged to travel upon the cutter arms, sprocket wheels attached to the vertical shaft engaging the cutter chains to drive them, a hydraulic jack carried by one of the cutter arms, a pump carried by the supporting bracket to energize the hydraulic jack and cause it to exert pressure upon the coal to dislodge the severed sections.

24. In a mining machine, the combina-tion of a main frame, undercutting mechanism projecting laterally from the main frame, overcutting mechanism projecting laterally from the main frame, feeding mechanism adapted to move the machine bodily relative to the coal face, means carried by the overcutting mechanism to exert pressure upon the coal to dislodge the severed sections, conveyer mechanism detachably connected to the main frame to receive and remove the coal as it is broken down, and means connected to the conveying mea-ns adapted to enter the lower kerf and engage the smaller cuttings and hold them within reach of the cutter bitsso that they shall be removed from the kerf thereby and from the path of the conveyor.

25. In a mining machine, the combination of cutting mechanism adapted to form a kerf at the base of a coal vein, cutting mechanism adapted to simultaneously form a kerf parallel with and above the first mentioned kerf, means carried by the upper cutting'mechanismto exert pressure upon the coal to dislodge the severedsections, conveying mechanism adapted to receive and remove the coal as it is broken down, and means connected to the conveying mechanism adapted to enter the lower kerf and confine the cuttings to the ath of the cutter bits to insure their removal fromthe kerf on the lines of outward travel of the bits. y

26. In a machine of the class described, a cutter frame and a conveyor frame extending horizontally side by side and in spaced relation to each other, a cutter chain on said cutter frame with its active section running along the edge of said cutter frame remote from said conveyor frame, a draft device on said conveyor frame., an apron secured to the upper edge of said conveyor frame adjacent said cutter frame and extending toward the latter, and means to laterally advance said frames together with the conveyor frame in trailing relation to the cutter frame to engage said chain in a mass of material to form a passage therein, said apron acting to transfer material coming thereupon inte the path of said draft device, and a scraper element at the leading edge of said apron.

27. In a machine of the class described, a cutter frame and a conveyor frame extending horizontally side by side and in spaced relation to each other. a cutter chain on said cutter frame with its active section running along` the edge of said cutter frame remote from said conveyor frame, a draft device on said conveyor frame, an apron between said frames and terminating above said conveyor trame, and means to laterally advance said frames together with said conveyor frame in trailing relation to said cutter frame to engage said chain in a mass of material to form a passage therein, said apronacting to transfer material coming` thereupon into the nath of said draftdevice, and means to adjust one of said frames horizontally relative to the other.

28. In a machine of the class described, a cutter frame and a conveyor frame extending horizontally side by side and in spaced relation to each other, a cutter chain on said cutter frame with its active section running along the edge of said cutter frame remote from said conveyor frame, a draft device on said conveyor frame, an apron between said frames and terminating abovesaid conveyor frame, means to laterally advance said frames together with said conveyor frame in trailing relation to said cutter frame to engage said chain in a mass of material to form a passage therein, said apron acting to transfermaterial coming thereupon into the path of said draft device, and means to angularly adjust one of said frames horizontally relative to the other. Y

29. In a machine of the class described, a supporting frame, a pluralitv of horizontally extending cutter bars projecting from said frame in vertically spaced relation, said bars being pivoted to said frame for swinging movement about a common vertical axis whereby one or more of said bars may be made to engage material to be operated on at the same side of said frame.

In a machine of the class described, a supporting frame, a plurality of horizontally extending cutter bars projecting from said frame in vertically spaced relation, means permitting the angular adjustment of one of said bars relative to the other and relative to said supporting frame, and means for advancing said frame to engage one or all of said bars laterally in a'mass of material to be operated on at the same side of said frame.

3l. In a machine of the class described, a supporting frame, a plurality of horizontally extendingcutter bars projecting from said frame in vertically spaced relation, and means permitting the angular adjustment of said bars relative to one another and to said supporting frame to project from the latter at the same side of its longitudinal axis.

32. In a machine of the class described, a supporting frame, a plurality of horizontally extending cutter bars projecting from said frame' in vertically spaced relation, and means to swing any one of said bars relative tothe other and to the same side of said supporting frame.

33. In a machine of the class described, a supporting frame, a plurality'of vertically spaced horizontally extending cutter bars mounted on said frame, and means to permit any one or all of said bars to project at either side of the.longitudinal axis of said frame, and means to advance the frame longitudinally to laterally engage any one or all of said bars in a mass of material to be operated on at either side of the frame.

34. In a machine of the class described, a supporting frame, a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally extending cutter bars pivotally mounted on said frame, any one or all of said bars being adapted to project to one side or the other of the longitudinal axis of the frame, and means to advance the frame longitudinally to laterally engage any one or all of said bars in a mass of material to be operated on at either side of the frame.

35. In a machine of the class described, a supporting frame, a plurality of superposed horizontally extending cutter bars pivotally mounted on said frame, and means to swing any one or all of said bars to one side or the other of the longitudinal axis of the frame to laterally engage material to be operated on at either side of the frame.

36. In a machine of the class described, the

combination With ay main frame, of a plurality of elongated swingable kerf cutters projecting horizontally therefrom in -vertically spaced planes, and means to .bodily move the main frame or to swing any one of said kerf cutters to either side of said frame, as-and for the purpose set forth. 37. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main frame, of a plurality of elongated kerf cutters projecting horizontally therefrom, and swingable about a common vertical axis, and means carried by said main frame to bodily move the machine or to swing any one of said kerf cutters, as and for the purpose set forth.

38. In a machine of the class described, the combination With a main frame, of a plurality of elongated swingable kerf cutters projecting horizontally therefrom in vertically spaced planes, means to lock each kerf cutter in a preferred position of angular adjustment, and means to bodily move the main frame or to swing any one of said kerf cutters to either side of said frame, as and for the purpose set forth.

39. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main frame, of a plurality of elongated kerf cutters projecting horizontally from one end of said frame ture..

NILS D. LEVIN. 

